HBMSU kicks off training sessions at the Banner Training Center

First batch of trainees comprise representatives from key universities in the country

UAE, October 10, 2016 – Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) kicked off the inaugural training sessions at its Banner Training Center, the first such state-of-the-art facility in the Middle East designed to help Banner users to develop smarter, hands-on skills in the areas of Student Information System. Based at the HBMSU campus, the center’s first batch of trainees comprise representatives from Zayed University, Higher Colleges of Technology, American University of Sharjah, Khalifa University, Paris-Sorbonne University and Al Qasimia University. The sessions will be held until October 13, 2016.

Banner by Ellucian is the world’s leading higher education enterprise resource planning (ERP) software solution. It is the solution of choice for almost 1,400 institutions in 40 countries. With the industry’s most comprehensive set of features and future-ready technology, Banner strengthens every major workflow in higher education, from student recruiting and retention to talent attraction and management. Banner is the Student Information System (SIS) of choice for major universities in the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf and Middle-Eastern countries.

Under the maiden Banner Training Center course sessions, participants consisting of administrative officials, admission and registration staff, and information technology (IT) specialists, will all learn from Ellucian-certified trainers using Ellucian-approved training materials. At the conclusion of the five-day training program, participants will be empowered to make more informed decisions, perform with higher productivity, and demonstrate stronger communication skills, in the areas of student registration using Banner XE

Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, HBMSU Chancellor, said: “The Banner training sessions will equip our trainees with crucial skills needed to simplify a wide range of complex set of administrative tasks in higher education, from recruiting and admissions to registration and financial aid. Through the use of their new advanced knowledge and skills, they will be able to perform their job more efficiently and they can make better decisions after their training. This initiative, in collaboration with Ellucian Inc., is a major boost to HBMSU’s commitment to promote lifelong learning with the aid of ‘smart’ tools and latest technologies. The Banner Training Center uses a cloud-based virtual lab to enable each trainee to have a unique environment instead of using a shared environment.”

Last year, HBMSU and Ellucian Inc. partnered to launch the first global Ellucian-Authorized Banner Training Center outside the United States. Banner training courses are planned to be delivered in both Arabic and English. The center’s establishment in October 2015 was followed by heavy investment by the university in train-the-trainers, on-boarding and certification programs, to be able to provide world-class Banner training at the university.

Dr. Raed Awdeh, HBMSU Vice Chancellor, Technology Development, said: “After many months of heavy preparation, we are excited with the start of the Banner training courses. This move will make us one step closer to our vision of becoming a university of choice in the Arab World in shaping the future of education and learning through innovative and smart educational technology solutions.”

The Banner Training Center supports and enables the ongoing UAE Government Emiratisation efforts by collaborating with local institutions and universities in training UAE nationals on core Student Information System functions using the Banner suite in a wide range of administrative processes, from Strategic Management and Records Handling to Learners Recruitment, Admissions, Registration, and Academic Advising. Hosting the Banner training center reaffirms not only the global confidence in the university’s capabilities to promote smart learning at the local and regional levels but also its achievements in training human resources qualified to lead the UAE’s transformation into an integrated knowledge-based economy.

The use of the new Banner system is in line with the university’s commitment to adopt the most advanced technological innovations in support of its relentless efforts to enhance operational efficiency, the quality of performance, and service excellence. It effectively cements HBMSU’s leading status as a first-class global training hub in various fields related to educational technology.

The partnership between HBMSU and Ellucian came amidst the robust and vibrant education market in the Middle East. The growth is more apparent in the Gulf region, where countries are increasingly adopting a knowledge-driven economic framework.